Journal of cancer research and clinical oncologyJan 27, 2025

Sleep and nutrition support together linked to better sleep, nutrition, pain, mood, and life quality after colon cancer surgery

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Updated Apr 1, 2026

Abstract

The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in sleep quality and nutritional markers compared to the control group.

Sleep quality improved in the intervention group, with scores decreasing from 10.43 to 7.81.
Nutritional markers, such as prealbumin, increased from 188.01 mg/L to 230.19 mg/L in the intervention group.
Pain levels were reduced in the intervention group, with scores decreasing from 5.19 to 2.65.
Anxiety and depression scores decreased in the intervention group, with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale dropping from 49.45 to 42.03 and the Self-Rating Depression Scale from 49.77 to 38.17.
Quality of life scores improved significantly in the intervention group, increasing from 88.41 to 99.29.

Simplified

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synergistic effects of combined sleep interventions and enhanced nutritional support on postoperative recovery in colon cancer patients, with a focus on sleep quality, nutritional status, pain management, psychological well-being, and quality of life.

METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 290 postoperative colon cancer patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between May 2021 and May 2023. Participants were randomized into two groups: the intervention group, which received standard care supplemented with sleep and nutritional interventions, and the control group, which received standard care alone. Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention, including the (PSQI), nutritional markers (serum albumin, prealbumin, body weight, etc.), (VAS) for pain, Self-Rating Anxiety and Depression Scales (SAS, SDS), and quality of life scores.

RESULTS: The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements across all assessed domains compared to the control group ( P < 0.005 after Bonferroni correction). Sleep quality (PSQI: 7.81 vs. 10.43, d = 0.81) and nutritional markers (e.g., prealbumin: 230.19 mg/L vs. 188.01 mg/L, d = 1.21 ) improved markedly. Similarly, reductions in pain (VAS: 2.65 vs. 5.19,d = 1.09 ), anxiety (SAS: 42.03 vs. 49.45, d = 0.88), and depression (SDS: 38.17 vs. 49.77,d = 1.02 ) were observed. Quality of life scores significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (EORTC QLQ-C30: 99.29 vs. 88.41, d = 0.92).

CONCLUSION: The combined intervention of sleep enhancement and nutritional support significantly accelerated postoperative recovery in colon cancer patients, demonstrating synergistic effects that improved physical, psychological, and quality-of-life outcomes. These findings underscore the value of integrating multifaceted interventions into standard postoperative care to optimize recovery trajectories and overall well-being.

Key numbers

7.81

Improvement in Sleep Quality

scores after intervention in the intervention group vs. control group

230.19 mg/L

Increase in Prealbumin Level

Prealbumin levels after intervention in the intervention group vs. control group

99.29

Quality of Life Score Increase

scores after intervention in the intervention group vs. control group

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Sleep and nutrition support together linked to better sleep, nutrition, pain, mood, and life quality after colon cancer surgery

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